The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has strongly opposed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, describing it as a “bitter pill” for Ugandans and claiming it was introduced in bad faith.
The controversial bill was tabled in Parliament yesterday for its first reading by the Minister of Defence, Hon. Oboth Oboth.
Following its presentation, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among referred the proposed legislation to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs for further scrutiny.
Addressing journalists at the UPC headquarters in Kampala, party president Hon. Jimmy Akena questioned the necessity of the bill, pointing out that the Supreme Court had previously halted the operations of the Court Martial a mechanism he says the bill is attempting to revive.
Akena warned that there is no need to amend the UPDF Act at this point.
The Supreme Court already halted the court martial. This bill, if passed in its current form, will only lead to further human rights violations.
He called on fellow Members of Parliament to reject the bill, citing concerns over civil liberties and the rule of law.
The bill now awaits review and recommendations from the designated parliamentary committees before it proceeds to the second reading.
By Charles Katabalwa
14th May 2025
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